Question

What do you mean by anomeric carbon? I want an answer preferably for anomeric carbon in carbohydrates (sugars).

Answer 1

Hint: Anomers are epimers of cyclic monosaccharides or glycosides that differ in their C-1 configuration if they are aldoses, or their C-2 configuration if they are ketoses. Anomeric carbon or anomeric core refers to the anomeric carbon in anomers.

Complete answer:
The carbon derived from the carbonyl carbon (the ketone or aldehyde functional group) of the open-chain form of the carbohydrate molecule is known as the anomeric carbon. The method of converting one anomer to the other is known as anomerization.
The anomeric carbon in the cyclic form of sugar is the carbon that was previously part of the carbonyl group in the straight-chain structure.
C1 becomes a chiral centre when the chain becomes a coil.
The anomeric carbon is C1.
The carbonyl group in D-fructose is at C2.
C2 is the anomeric carbon in this case.
Or
The carbon in a monosaccharide (such as glucose) that rotates is an example of anomeric carbon. The carbon (C) connected to two oxygen (O) atoms joined by single bonds determines the anomeric carbon. This rotation results in the formation of two distinct configurations: and -anomers. Carbohydrates can then switch between the and configurations on their own: mutarotation is a term used to describe a mechanism.

Note:
The electronic effect, which is an interaction of the orbitals of the ring O and the substituent bond, causes anomeric carbon to be reactive. The anomeric centre is critical for carbohydrate reactivity because it is where the ring opens, forming the carbonyl group, which is an important functional group.